NJ Botanical Gardens: Skylands Manor Engagement Photos

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One of the dreamiest New Jersey wedding venues and destinations for engagement photos is at the Castle at Skylands Manor (NJ Botanical Gardens).

Where is the Skylands Manor?

New Jersey Botanical Gardens

5 Morris Rd, Ringwood, NJ 07456

About photoshoots at the Skylands Manor

Professional photography permits for engagement photoshoots is required at the Skylands Manor and can be requested via email:

ringwood@dep.nj.gov

For $150 ($200 out of state resident), a professional photographer can go to NJ Botanical Gardens and take engagement photos of couples up to 10 times in one year. A photographer must email request permission within 4 weeks of the photoshoot and provide proof of a certificate of insurance (Hiscox). Photographers should choose a date and time when there are no events taking place at the Skylands Manor. Keep in mind, that engagement photoshoots are not allowed inside the castle. Photoshoot time slots are allowed between 8AM-8PM.

During summer weekends, parking at Skylands Manor is $5/car for NJ residents and $7/car for non-NJ residents.

Tripods and props were allowed on the New Jersey Botanical Gardens property. I was able to setup off camera flash and tripods without a problem and even a pop up changing tent for my clients. Bathrooms are clean but may close around 6PM.

Springtime photoshoot locations at the Skylands Manor and NJ Botanical Gardens

Since it was my first time taking photos at the Skylands Manor / NJ Botanical Gardens, I arrived an hour and a half early to walk the grounds and scout the best photoshoot locations for my clients’ engagement photos. My engagement photoshoots are typically 90 minutes long and we were not able to visit every location here, but we go to most of them. Keep scrolling to see the engagement photoshoot!

The best time for springtime engagement photos at Skylands Manor and NJ Botanical Gardens is mid-April- the first week of May! You will see the famous cherry blossoms and yellow and purple flowers all in bloom at the same time! The grounds will become lush and green mid-May.